Fox Devotees Glad For Satellites

January 13, 2000|By DAVID NICHOLSON Daily Press

Air Force Sgt. Joe Hunter of Newport News hasn't missed any of his favorite Fox programs this month. And the Moose Lodge members meeting this weekend at the Holiday Inn Hampton Hotel & Conference Center won't have to miss Saturday's Redskins-Buccaneers game on WVBT-TV, Channel 43.

They're among the lucky ones who get Fox because they don't need Cox.

While Cox Communications provides cable to most of the homes in these cities, some hotels and apartment complexes get their cable and over-the-air channels through other means. They contract with private companies that build "satellite-master antenna" networks that provide a combination package for residents or guests.

As Day 13 of the Fox blackout on Cox cable begins, neither side is predicting an end to this dispute. WVBT, the Fox affiliate, refuses to allow Cox to air its programming until the station is granted a lower channel on the Cox lineup. Cox says no because it doesn't want to restrict its options and give up one of its lower channels.

Hunter, an avid Fox fan, watches "Ally McBeal," "The X-Files" and "to my wife's displeasure, 'The Simpsons.'" He lives at Spring House in Newport News, a 432-unit apartment complex that has a satellite-antenna system owned by Global Communications.

While his buddies have been racing out to purchase antennas, Hunter is sitting pretty. If it weren't for the private contractor at Spring House though, he'd be complaining to Cox.

"Fox is a powerful channel, equivalent to NBC, CBS and ABC," says Hunter. "It has a strong following and top-rated shows."

Hunter pays about $30 a month for his programming package, which includes some premium channels along with the 32 offered. The downside is that while he's getting Fox, he can't tune in the 80 channels that most Cox customers can get.

Other area residential complexes that use satellite-antenna networks include Mariner's Green Apartments in Newport News, Steeplechase Apartments in Williamsburg and Bridgewater Apartments in Hampton.

Holiday Inn Hampton uses a satellite-antenna service called Lodgenet, which brings 32 channels into the hotel rooms. You can catch WVBT on Channel 16. But don't plan on renting a room to catch Saturday's NFL playoff game because the hotel is already booked with Moose conventioneers this weekend.

Not every hotel has that many options. The Radisson Hotel Hampton doesn't carry WVBT on its satellite-antenna system, which has a capacity of only 12 channels. The Omni Newport News Hotel uses Cox as its cable provider, so hotel guests can't watch WVBT there.

Fox was able to pull its programming off Cox because the 1992 Cable Act gives broadcasters the right to negotiate with cable companies. Hotels and sports bars are exempt because they don't charge customers for the cable service.

The private satellite-antenna companies fall under the same federal requirements as Cox. WVBT doesn't have a complete list of these companies but has reached agreements with the known ones for the right to retransmit its signal, said Edward Munson, vice president of WAVY-TV, Channel 10, which manages WVBT. (The Daily Press and WAVY are in a business partnership and share information for stories.)

This situation doesn't sit well with Cox, which competes with satellite-antenna services for the same customers. Thom Prevette, Cox's vice president of government relations, says Cox is being unfairly singled out by WVBT.

"All of these private systems are bound by the same retransmission requirements," said Prevette. "We're just a convenient target."

Some Cox subscribers have canceled cable because of the Fox blackout, but Prevette said the company will not release the number.

At least Cox won't be hearing from Hunter, who's been teasing his friends who can't get WVBT. He doesn't have any solutions to offer either side.

"I'm really shocked it has come to this," he said.

David Nicholson can be reached at 247-4794 or by e-mail at dnicholson@dailypress.com